Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-15

HE RECOMMENDS RKPAIRrNG THR OLD MONITORS FOR
COAST pErENsE iPURfosEs-THE NEW AkMoREp
CRufsERs-rHE UNITED STATES NOW ABLE TO BUILD
AND ARM IT'S own vEssEIs
Chief Constructor T. d. Wilson, Chief OF the Blu
reau OF Construction and Repair, Navy Department,
in his annual report to the Secretary OF the Navy.
asks In view OF the additional duties devolving
upon the bureau In connection with the designing
and building of new vessels, that an assistant
chief OF the bureau be authorized by law. lie rec
ommends that two new vessels at about 1000
tons each, be built to replace the training ships
Saratoga, jamestown, and Portsmouth, which
cannot possibly be kept In service much longer,
and he asks that special authority be given for the
repair OF the sloop-of-war Hartford, at o cost OF
$l75,oo0.
THE OLD MONITORS.
In regard to the adaptability OF the single-tur-
reted monitors to coast aud haroor defense, he
says: "They are now q considerable expense 70
the Navy, as they must be taken care OF, and, not
being In proper repair. they are OF no use 10 the
country. II these vessels are to be kept on the
naval list they should be placed 10 perfect repair,
capable or carrying Within six months all OF thes8
vessels could be put In the same state OF efficiency
as they were at The Iime OF their construction, az
an expenditure OF about 100000 This would give
thirteen coast deiense vessels actually available,
armed with l5-inch smooth bore guns. These guns
could be replaced as rapidly as possible by rifles
BY no other means could the same amount OF
noaey be spent 10 give the country such valuable
return"
THE OUTLOOK.
1.-THE outlook for the Navy An the near future, =
the report says, lis very hopeful one, and with
the completion OF the vessels, now projected, the
Navy Will consist OF number OF modern vessels
admirably adapted TO the varied needs OF the serr'
Ice. Inc character OF the Work being done on The
vessels now building. and those lateiy completei
Shows That our snip builders are abe TO turn out
vessels OF war second 10 none In the world
"rhe establishment or tine gun factory at Wash.
fngUon, and Introduction by the bethlehem Iron
WORKS or plant 10 furnish heavy arlnor anu gun
forginys make the United states absolutely Jude.
pendenL or other countries in the construction and
budding The Navy Is only kept up as IL Is now
going We shan soon have a Navy that will be a
credit, as Wen as protection TO our country and
our country interests"
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE NAVY.
Tables attached TO the report show the exact
condition OF every vessel in the Navy. or the
wooden vessels 1t Is said that the Trenton.
launched in 1S76, represents the latest ami best
type OF wooden steam cruiser, and Will be useful
and valuable for several years 10 come Win the
Omana ana Vandalla Second rates) she can pro
DaOIy De continued In service nine years longer
the Lancaster, with new boilers, six years; The
BroOAlyn and Richmond, i've years, and the PEN
sacoia three years VI the tnlru-raUes The Mohican
can Ue CONTINUED in service niue years, the Adams
Anance Essex, kearsarge, Enterprise, Iallapoosa,
antic, anu Nlpsic, nVe years; tue Juuiata, O,,i-
pee, SwaLara, Galena and Maroon, four years. Inc
QuinneDaug aud the lrOQuOlS Will probably Oe
Condemned by law on survey. 1t will thus be seen
tnat IN .nree years we suau have IwenJy-one VI
THESE vessels remaining, In years Out tour, and
In nine years the enurc wooden Navy VIII have
disappeared. The appendix also contains elaDo-
Fate detailed statements from the officers IN
charge or the construction OF the new cruisers
gunpoatS and dynamite cruiser OF the WORK re.
mdihing W De done, Us well as descriptions and
plates VI the new vessels and monitors, showing
linear general dimensions, armament, rig, steam
power aud other details.
THE ESTIMATES.
A tabulated statement OF the estimates OF ap+
preparation for the next fiscal year is appended &c
the report He asks for $l4,6SO for salaries
s9O0,0o0 for the construction and repair OF YES
Seis; IA 04i for the civil establishments at navy
YARDS; xl75 900 for extra tools at the Mare Island
navy-yard; $4,000 Tor the construction OF expert
mental WORKS 10 test the resistance OF ships The
New York hayward, and $3,OOOOOO on account
OF hullS and outfits VI new SHIPS.